For my sister (and maybe my 6-years-ago self, too…)
I know you guys are so ready for this. You’ve been ready, the road to get here has been a little twisty and I CANNOT wait to be moms together. Just giddy about it. Let’s start there.
We were a few days home from the hospital with Curran, and it had set in that maybe this was going to be harder than I thought. A big transition. My body torn up and my nipples chapped and the gut-wrenching worry that this teensy thing may just stop breathing or any number of tragic things that now feel like cold possibilities.
A thoughtful friend mailed a note and I’ll never forget the perfect timing from an experienced mother. I still keep it in Curran’s keepsake journal. The note reminded me that I was capable - that I was made to be this child’s mother amidst the overwhelming exhaustion and newness of it all.
Motherhood is such a wild cocktail of elation and… grief maybe? I don’t intend to be dramatic, but your life is never the same. You think about and prepare for this transition for months, sometimes years, and there is no accurate description that will touch on how you feel the second you look at that baby. You rebirth yourself in that moment as well. You’ve known great love, but nothing like this. It fills a corner of your heart you didn’t even know was there. That smell! His skin! Those itsy bitsy toes! Seeing your husband hold his tiny body to his chest. It’s out of body, really. So out of body, that sometimes you feel untethered. The emotions, the physical healing, being responsible for that small life, getting through the day… it’s a lot! You feel so many things in the course of a day. In the course of a moment. It is both the best, most tender job AND so effing hard. All day. Every day. You will second guess your own intuition and also find how to truly trust yourself outside of google and other opinions.
There is a lot of chatter about diapers and organic sheets and the best baby wash but there is a quieter murmur about the metamorphosis that occurs as a woman becomes a mother. That metamorphosis seems to be life- long, far as I can tell, as the caring for these little people grows and changes. My experience may be nothing like yours. What worked for me or what I struggled with or when my babies slept or what bottle they liked may not matter at all come your turn. I find that all that unknowing and problem solving and figuring and filtering through noise, is what builds your own confidence as a parent. Pilfering through the shoulds and suggestions, to make choices that work for you and your family. You are his mom and the best person for the job. Believe that this very moment! You have support all around you.
I want to pass on to you, just like that well timed note did for me, the affirmation that this role is yours, and you are absolutely capable. You are everything he needs. This mom business is immeasurably valuable work.
Let people help. Drink lots of water. Find your pockets of relief. Your body will heal. It will pass. Tomorrow is a new day. Sleep does return. And it’s just like every old lady tells you at the market on your most frustrating of days… it goes so fast. xo
Love you so dearly, my sister. Happy to be on this wild ride with you. xo
—
I heard from many of you looking for a list of recipes to stock up on, or gift, to those in the new baby season. Here are the condensed, top suggestions, in order of most repeated via my instagram question. I will start a series here “Food for New Parents,” per request, so these sorts of recipes are easy to find on the site. I’ll post more recipes in the next few weeks, but visit the bundle page on SKCC for recipes that are easy to reheat or freeze! This is the deliver-friendly bundle.
burritos (include frozen ones for easy reheat)
fresh cut fruit
fresh cut vegetables and dips
healthy muffins (see the ones i just posted on ig reels! or these )
fritatta/ frittata muffins (fresh or frozen - notes here or my fave is from our first SK cookbook)
lactation cookies (these from How Sweet Eats were mentioned)
granola bars (Robyn’s!)
date/ energy balls
casseroles (Ashley’s Baked Risotto! so good)
salad kits and fixings for quick salads and bowls (greens, dressings, grilled/chopped chicken, quinoa, toasted nuts)
healthy, light things - “pizza and take out are easy”
soups and stews (this lentil soup, this tomato soup or Anna’s Dhal)
vegetable enchiladas (duh these goat cheese guys)
chili - veg or turkey (this veggie chili, or this beef one)
pasta sauces (this bolognese is perfection and I’m intrigued by this cauli version)
legume/grain/lunch type salads (the Marakkesh carrots from Bowl + Spoon! Online here)
cookies/cookie dough (always Tara’s! add oats and down to 9 minute bake time for a little goo)
wine/coconut water
CRUNCHY LUNCHY LENTILS
Serves 4
This is a salad that can hold its integrity for a few days. I keep it stored in the fridge, and spoon it on top of lettuce with a little more vinaigrette when ready to eat. I’ve also packed it in a tortilla or stirred in some cooked brown rice to make it more filling. It will dry as it sits, so add a drizzle of oil and vinegar if it needs a refresh.
Ingredients
¾ cup French/De Puy Lentils
2 Persian cucumbers, seeded
1 apple
1 medium fennel bulb, fronds reserved
1 large shallot
1 small bundle of mint
1 small bundle fresh basil
½ cup walnut pieces
For the vinaigrette
1 large clove garlic, grated
Juice of one lemon
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp. dried dill
½ tsp. coriander
Flaky salt
Fresh ground pepper
Goat, parmesan or feta cheese, for garnish, optional
Directions
Rinse your lentils. Put them in a pot with 1 ½ cups of salted water or broth. Bring the liquid up to a simmer, put the cover on ajar and cook for 20 minutes until tender. Fluff the lentils, and set them aside to cool completely.
While the lentils cook, get chopping! We want a fine dice on the cucumbers. Core and finely dice both the apple and fennel and mince the shallot. Super small bits! Chop the herbs.
In the bottom of your mixing bowl, combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients and stir to mix. Add the cooled lentils, all your chopped vegetables, walnuts and herbs. Toss to coat. Chill in the fridge for an hour if possible for flavors to marry. Not imperative if you don’t have the time.
Serve the lentils over some tender greens with a sprinkle of goat, parm or feta cheese.
